PTHS plans Sunday graduation

Although much of Monday’s Pontiac Township High School Board of Education meeting focused on finances, there was also graduation and other calendar considerations discussed.

Pontiac Township High School Superintendent Jon Kilgore reported that he and District #429 Superintendent Kevin Lipke have worked hard together to create a calendar for the 2013-14 year in which as many school days as possible are closely linked.

Kilgore explained that because the high school has to deal with final exams, things could never perfectly match up, but that often times when grade school students need a babysitter and no one is available, high school students will miss school in order to take care of their siblings. Kilgore believes that with a similar schedule in terms of spring break, winter break and school improvement and institute days, next year’s schedule will allow those students to take care of their family members without being penalized for it.

Board member Nick Sartoris offered kudos to Kilgore and Lipke for working together on a closely aligned schedule.

The superintendent also noted that graduation this year would be held on Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m., a break from the traditional Friday night event.

There is a potential for PTHS to hold graduation in 2014 on Memorial Day weekend.

“What that would mean,” Kilgore said, “is that it gives an opportunity for families to have more overnights that weekend and if people are coming out of town for graduation, they will be able to utilize that Sunday night and Monday for family.

“We are going to fall in line with many other schools who are already doing this and we believe if we go with 2 pm., that allows families to take care of important commitments in the morning on that day and allows time for our graduates to get ready and have a nice ceremony. It also opens up the possibility to have something outside on the football field. On the other hand, we also have our gym, which is now air-conditioned which we can try out this year.”

The only downfall to the Sunday graduation is how it impacts staff and underclassmen involved with Operation Graduation, which takes place on graduation night as a safe alternative to some other parties students could attend. Kilgore said Friday night is a big night for student parties to take place and over the years, dedicated teachers — after a long day, school year and graduation — come to that and pull all-nighters with the students at no additional cost to the district. The high school also allows students to bring a guest and often, that guest is an underclassmen.

“If we hold graduation on Sunday, it would create a problem because our staff who have to be at school the next day, don’t want to pull an all-nighter. So we are also going to keep Operation Graduation on that Friday night, before graduation takes place. It will allow students to still come, so we can continue the guest practice and our staff can volunteer and still sleep in on Saturday.”

Page 2 of 3 - Kilgore also discussed new Illinois legislation, which has changed school code. The legislation states that report card days can no longer be counted as attendance days. Kilgore said he agrees with this change because report card day is a day where the high school doesn’t hold true classes.

“We are going to gain a day of instruction out of this,” said Kilgore. “I think that is a positive thing. On the other hand, we’ve changed the way that we do business at the end of the year because of it.”

What used to happen on report card day is the high school would consider it a school institute day for staff and would have a half day for students. Instead, Kilgore said they plan to have their institute day and no student attendance. Instead of having report cards available to pick up at the high school, the report cards will be mailed to households.

“It gets 100 percent of the report cards home to families and if people want their grades right away, they can access those immediately from the Internet. We feel really good about that process at the end of the year.”

In another matter, the board commended the FFA Food Science Team which took first place in Pleasant Hill, making them the official FFA Food Science defending state champs with two of their members this year placing first and fourth in individual scores.

Last year’s PTHS state champs took 15th place overall in the nation at the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

FFA advisers Parker Bane and Jesse Faber also discussed an upcoming trip in regards to an Oregon FFA chapter exchange on Jan 21. Bane said in the past, FFA exchange programs have been successful and he said this is the most important trip in the students’ opinion. The trip would take the students to Cascade, Ore., to meet with another FFA chapter whom Bane said the Pontiac FFA students seemed to enjoy. Bane also said that Oregon offers several opportunities for students that can’t be found in Illinois including marine biology, hops, forest land and the Columbia River. The biggest factor for the trip will be flight costs.

Board member Roger Corrigan asked how students are selected for this trip. Bane replied that there is an application process and the FFA students are assessed on their leadership skills, current academic standings and career interest, in addition to other factors. Corrigan also asked how many days of school the students would be missing for this trip. Bane said the students would miss all of Thursday and then a half-day of school Friday.

Another trip discussed by the board was an excursion to Costa Rica, planned for next June. It’s being organized by teacher Elston Flowers, who had led three students on a trip to Costa Rica in the summer of 2008 at no cost to the district. Back in 2008, Flowers said many students said they wanted to go to Costa Rica, but only a few came up with the funds needed. Flowers described the trip as an eco-tour, where students visited the rainforests, coffee fields, famous architecture and discovered the wildlife of the country. Students or their parents can begin to enroll online now and Flowers said it’s better to do it soon because there is currently a $200 discount and an option of paying monthly as opposed to having to provide the whole sum at once.

Page 3 of 3 - Corrigan asked Flowers if the student trip could be a liability to the school. Flowers responded that it is no different than any other field trip outside of Illinois in that personal insurance covers the students.

Tom Ramseyer, English Department chair, gave a report on his department, calling it “diverse” with one teacher being new this year and another in her final year after 35 years. He also said his department is full of intelligent and committed teachers who enjoy teaching and getting involved with their students.

Ramseyer reported to the board that the department was strong and with implementation of their literature skills program, they are improving reading skills schoolwide.

In the past, Ramseyer said there was an assumed level of performance from high school students. Today, the department is working hard to address individual performance issues and doing everything they can think of to help students. He said hw believes his department is doing a great job working every week to help at-risk students.